Concord man pleads guilty in 2012 shooting death of his father in Manchester

MANCHESTER — Evan Smith, 30, Tuesday pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of his father, Philip Smith, 61, a year ago.

Smith, who was indicted on both first- and second-degree murder charges, pleaded guilty in Hillsborough County Superior Court North to knowingly causing the death of his father by shooting him in the head, according to Senior Assistant Attorney General Janice Rundles.

The elder Smith was found shot to death in his apartment at 519 Hevey St. on Oct. 26, 2012. Police issued a bulletin that afternoon seeking the public’s help in locating Evan Smith, describing him as a “person of interest” who “may be armed and dangerous.” The bulletin was canceled two hours later after Evan Smith was located.

Evan Smith was living on Bog Road in Concord at the time of the shooting.

Following his plea Tuesday, Smith was sentenced to 35 years to life in the New Hampshire State Prison, with seven years of the minimum deferred for 19 years.

Rundles said the sentence allows Smith to petition after serving 19 years to have seven years of the minimum cut off the sentence, but it would be conditional on his good conduct and completing any recommended programs.